Why are the free-range cattle obsessed with our @Blink doorbell? 🤔 They keep ringing it, trying to eat it, and even find it when we move it! Maybe they just want their 15 minutes of fame 🐄📸😂
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#FunnyAnimals #CountryLife #CaughtOnCamera #FarmLifeHumor #ViralCows
Tag: Rural living
Living Off-Grid Without Water?! Shocking Truth About Public Showers & Off-Grid Struggles!
Living off-grid isn’t easy — especially when essential equipment like your truck breaks down. For us, hauling water is critical, and when the truck is out of commission, it means no water at home. Recently, that meant relying on Planet Fitness in Los Lunas for showers. At first, showering at the gym seemed like a convenient solution. But there’s a catch: to get a hot shower, the water system requires another shower to be running or at least someone to wash their hands in the bathroom. These systems often share the same hot water source, so one running helps maintain the temperature.
However, this creates an awkward dilemma. It’s common to see extra showers running even if only one person is actually showering. Personally, I’m uncomfortable turning on another shower while I’m using mine — I worry someone might want to use it and assume it’s occupied. Here’s the thing — when the bathroom is busy, you expect people to wash their hands after using the toilet. I always do. But one Thursday, while I was the only person showering, I kept hearing toilets flushing but no handwashing. It wasn’t until I was nearly done with my chilly shower that someone finally washed their hands, and only then did I get some hot water.
This experience was surprising — and honestly, a bit unsettling — because it made me realize just how many people skip washing their hands even in public spaces where hygiene is critical. Living off-grid means adapting to challenges, big and small. From truck repairs impacting water hauling to navigating the quirks of public showers, it’s all part of the journey. If you’re considering off-grid life or are already living it, these moments remind us that patience, creativity, and a bit of humor go a long way.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #DesertLiving #WaterChallenges #ShowerStruggles #KaHoonCampground
Truck Brakes FAIL After Repair?! Could Be Costly Caliper! But We Got Water Delivered Anyway!
🚚 Truck Update: Brakes, Water Runs, and Salvage Yard Hopes
We finally got the parts in to repair the truck’s brakes. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get any photos of the parts or the guys doing the work. After the repairs, they took it for a test drive into town, and everything seemed fine… at first.
Feeling confident, they decided to take it on a **water run** — that’s when the trouble started. The brakes began acting up again, sometimes locking up, sometimes not working at all. Not exactly the kind of surprise you want when you’re hauling water through rough desert roads.
Today, they’re planning to take another look. The biggest concern? The **caliper** might be bad. From what I’ve been told, that’s a pricey repair. More than likely, we’ll be searching local **salvage yards** for the part instead of buying new.
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### The Silver Lining
On the bright side, they *were* able to haul out **one load of water** before the brakes started misbehaving again. We never run full loads — usually around **100–120 gallons at a time** — to protect the trailer on these bumpy roads. It usually takes two loads to fill up the IBC tote completely.
Since they managed to get that first load home, it means one very important thing… **the shower is functional again!**
Life off-grid is full of challenges, but every small win — even something as simple as a working shower — feels like a big victory out here.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #DesertLiving #TruckRepair #WaterHaul #KeepItMoving
You Won’t Believe What Happened at Ka-Hoon Campground This Morning… Desert Drama with Two Bulls!
**You Won’t Believe What Happened at Ka-Hoon Campground This Morning… Desert Drama with Two Bulls!**
Living off-grid in the New Mexico desert definitely has its perks—peace, open skies, and plenty of space—but it also comes with its share of *wild* surprises. One of those surprises? **Free-range cattle.** Yep, real-life, unsupervised cows just roaming the land like they own the place.
Here at **Ka-Hoon Campground**, we’ve come to a sort of “understanding” with these four-legged locals: they stay out of our main event and camping area, and we let them graze in peace. Unfortunately, **this morning, that agreement was broken. Again.**
While heading out to encourage them back where they belong, **two bulls decided it was the perfect time for a desert showdown.** With no phone on me (of course!), I had to move cautiously between two full-grown bulls *going head-to-head*—right where our guests usually enjoy their morning coffee.
After a tense few moments, they moved out of our main zone and continued their standoff across the way… for over an hour! Once I made it back to the RV, I captured some of their ongoing match from a safe distance.
**It’s not every day you witness a bull brawl in your backyard,** but out here in the wild west of New Mexico, it’s just another morning.
Want to experience the beauty (and wild drama) of the desert for yourself? **Come camp with us at Ka-Hoon Campground**—where nature doesn’t just surround you, it *includes* you.
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**Follow us for more real-life desert adventures:**
TikTok: @ColquhounEntertainment)
Facebook: Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center
Website: http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
Music by: Rage Against Machine
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#BullFight, #KaHoonCampground, #DesertLife, #NewMexicoWildlife, #FreeRangeCattle, #CampgroundDrama, #RuralLiving, #BullsInTheDesert, #MorningMayhem, #CaughtOnCamera, #RVLife, #WildWest, #BullBrawl, #CampgroundLife, #UnexpectedVisitors
Surviving High Winds & a Cold Day in the Desert – Off-Grid Life Challenges!
**Surviving the High Winds and a Stubborn Cold—Desert Life Edition**
We’re on **day two** of relentless high winds, and while we’ve learned over the years how to secure just about everything, there’s always something we forget—like an entire **trash bag**, a **clothes hamper full of laundry**, or even **part of a car seat** left behind by a camper. That last one has taken a few trips across the yard, courtesy of Mother Nature, and now it’s on our ever-growing list of things to haul off.
If there’s ever a “perfect” time to be sick, I guess this would be it (though I’d gladly skip the sick part). Both of us have been battling a cold—**negative for flu and COVID**, thankfully—but it’s still draining. No fevers or body aches, but plenty of **sore throats, low energy, and overall crankiness**. And let’s just say my voice is practically nonexistent at this point.
So, how did we spend this windblown, sickness-induced lockdown? **Benadryled up, buried under blankets, and binge-watching *Stranger Things*.** Sometimes, you just have to embrace the forced downtime and let the storm pass—both the one outside and the one raging in your sinuses.
Here’s hoping for **calmer skies, better health, and fewer runaway objects in the yard** in the coming days!
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
#HighWinds, #DesertLife, #OffGridLiving, #WindstormSurvival, #RuralLiving, #SickDay, #BingeWatching, #StrangerThings, #NewMexicoLiving, #HomesteadingChallenges, #WindyDays, #OutdoorAdventure, #RVLife, #TinyHomeLiving, #DesertWeather
Haunting Memories: Life in a Central Minnesota Farmhouse
We lived alongside the unexplained, finding peace amidst the paranormal.
Let me take you back to the late 1970s, to a remote corner of Central Minnesota where my childhood home stood. Tucked away down two miles of dirt roads and 14 miles from the nearest small town, this house was isolated, weathered, and steeped in mystery.
When we moved in, the house had been abandoned for at least a decade. There was no plumbing, and the yard was so overgrown that the weeds reached the windows. An old two-seater outhouse stood at the yard’s edge, a relic of another time. My family spent countless hours restoring the house: hand-digging water lines, converting an old bedroom into a bathroom, and rebuilding the barn into a functional dairy barn.
But the history of the house was as wild as its surroundings. Built by two bachelor brothers, the property carried a dark story—one brother, it was rumored, died on the property after being kicked in the head by a horse. Locals whispered about hauntings and refused to set foot near the house.
For us, those whispers became reality. Over the 13 years we lived there, we encountered countless unexplainable events.
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### Encounters with the Unseen
One of the most vivid memories involved a family friend. He had briefly lived in the house years before but moved out due to violent experiences. During a visit, he went to use the bathroom, and as he exited, a cup flew from behind him, striking him on the head. The source of the cup was a mystery—it wasn’t stored in the bathroom, and the dishwasher was usually rolled into the kitchen.
Another time, I was having a slumber party with my best friends, Nikki and Sharla. As we sat on my bed laughing with the bedroom door open, the door suddenly slammed shut and locked itself. My friends were terrified and left immediately, cutting the party short.
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### Voices in the Night
Noises were a common occurrence. Footsteps echoed through the house at night, so often that my older brother decided to record while we slept. On one recording, he captured not only footsteps but also the faint sound of two men conversing—though no one else was awake.
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### A Helping Hand?
One of the eeriest moments came one evening while tending to the dairy farm. My mom asked me to open a newly fixed gate outside the barn. I struggled with the latch until I heard what I thought was my dad explaining how to open it. Grateful, I turned to thank him, but no one was there. When I went inside to tell my mom, she informed me my dad was still at work.
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### Living with the Unknown
While some locals warned of danger, we never felt threatened by the strange happenings. The unexplained became part of our daily lives, and we grew accustomed to the eerie sounds, objects moving, and uninvited whispers in the dark.
After we moved out, another family tried to make a life there but left, claiming the hauntings were unbearable.
This house remains a piece of my past, filled with both the hard work of rebuilding a home and the spine-tingling memories of living alongside the unexplained.
**Have you ever experienced anything like this? Share your story with us!**
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#HauntedHouse #GhostStories #ParanormalActivity #FarmhouseLife #MinnesotaMysteries
From Victorian Home to Off-Grid Living: Our Journey to Building a Desert Dream in New Mexico!
Our Journey to New Mexico: From a Victorian Home to Building a New Life Off-Grid**
For many years, we lived in a charming but challenging 2,000-square-foot 1880s Victorian house on a large lot in a small town in Minnesota. Alongside our time there, we spent weekends, holidays, and summers at an 8×16 fish house we converted into a cozy cabin while managing the Environmental Education Center. It was a beautiful dual lifestyle, balancing the history of our home with the serenity of cabin life.
### The Turning Point
The Victorian house, though beautiful, required extensive renovations far beyond our budget: a new roof, windows, insulation, rewiring, and more. When the roof began leaking, we explored loans but quickly realized the house’s value wouldn’t support them. Faced with this reality, we made a family decision to let the house go. Instead, we planned to live in the cabin while saving to purchase land near the Environmental Education Center where we could build our dream life.
Then, an unexpected opportunity arose. A friend from a yearly event at the center invited us to stay at her ranch in New Mexico over the winter to help restore it for future events. Before committing, we asked our kids to try online school for one semester. If they didn’t like it, they could return to in-person school the following year. They were excited about the adventure and agreed to give it a try.
### Falling in Love with New Mexico
We closed down the center for winter and headed to Ruidoso, New Mexico. Our original plan was temporary: spend the winter working, save money, and return to Minnesota to purchase land. But New Mexico changed everything. The ranch’s rich history (I love history!), mild weather, and stunning landscapes captured our hearts. We started looking for our own piece of land nearby—something affordable, remote, and suitable for hosting events and camping.
Despite initial doubts, we found several options within our budget. One piece stood out: it was close to a major city, had breathtaking views, and offered privacy—perfect for our dreams. The only challenge? It was Christmas, and buying the land would leave us with no money for presents or even gas to return to Minnesota. After discussing it as a family, we decided to take the leap. The kids agreed to forgo Christmas gifts for the opportunity to build our future.
### A Christmas Miracle
Just as we finalized the purchase, a little magic happened. Brent and I decided to have a rare date night at Billy the Kid Casino, where they were offering free play. We registered and learned they were drawing one lucky person to play a giant game of blackjack for a chance to win 500 play credits. My name was called (much to my horror—I’m shy and terrible at blackjack). But to my surprise, I won!
Not knowing much about slots, I asked Brent to handle the winnings. After a few tries, we hit $400, then $500, and cashed out $900. The next day, we took the kids shopping in Ruidoso for Christmas presents and used the rest for gas money to return to Minnesota, knowing we’d come back to our land in the fall to start our new lives.
### Building Our Dream
This January 3rd marks five years since we bought the land. Looking back, taking that risk was one of the best decisions we ever made. We’ve worked hard to build a life off-grid, creating a space where nature, community, and individuality thrive. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been deeply rewarding.
### A Note on Education
One of the biggest surprises was how much our kids loved online schooling during this transition. They thrived in the flexible environment, improving from occasional Ds and Fs to consistent As and Bs. Both graduated at the top of their classes, proving that sometimes, stepping outside the norm leads to incredible results.
### Lessons Learned
As we approach this milestone, we’re reminded of the importance of taking risks and trusting in the journey. Whether you call it faith, fate, or the power of nature, sometimes you just have to leap and let life guide you. We’re excited to see what the future holds and grateful for how far we’ve come.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving #NewMexicoLife #FamilyAdventure #HomesteadingJourney
#TinyHouseLiving #SimplifyYourLife
#VictorianHomeStory #LifeInTheDesert
#SustainableLiving #RuidosoNewMexico
#EducationSuccess #DreamChasers
#BuildingCommunity #RiskAndReward #NatureInspiredLiving
Off-Grid Desert Living: The Unexpected Challenge of Midnight Trips to the Outdoor Toilet!
**Living Off-Grid in the New Mexico Desert: The Challenge of the Hut**
Life off-grid in the New Mexico desert comes with its unique set of challenges, and for me, one of the hardest has been *The Hut*—our outdoor composting toilet. While we use the indoor toilet for liquids now, that wasn’t always the case. The main issue? Navigating late-night trips to the Hut with a pack of eager dogs in tow.
**The Struggle of Midnight Bathroom Breaks**
Picture this: It’s a chilly desert night, and the inside of our tiny home is 10-20 degrees warmer than the freezing temperatures outside. I wake up, needing to use the bathroom, and as soon as I even glance toward the door, the dogs are ready to spring into action.
Now, I love my dogs, but their enthusiasm complicates things. By the time I’ve grabbed a jacket and shoes, they’re by the door, tails wagging, ready for an outdoor adventure. I, on the other hand, just want to quickly take care of business and crawl back into my warm bed.
**Dogs on Their Own Schedule**
Using the Hut isn’t a quick in-and-out experience, thanks to my four-legged companions. They won’t do their business while I’m in the Hut because they insist on guarding me from potential “dangers.” Once I’m done, the real waiting game begins as they sniff around, searching for the *perfect* spot to do their own business.
On a cold, sleepless night, this routine feels endless. Multiply this by five bathroom trips in one night, and you can see why it became exhausting.
**The Solution: A Shift Indoors**
Eventually, we decided to adapt. By using the indoor toilet for liquids, I can now make quick trips without alerting the dogs. As long as I don’t venture past the bathroom, they stay snuggled up in bed, and I can get back to my warm blankets much faster.
**The Takeaway**
Off-grid living is all about finding creative solutions to unique problems. While *The Hut* is a sustainable and practical choice, adapting to the realities of late-night desert life has been key to making it work. For now, the indoor bathroom is a small luxury that helps us balance convenience and comfort in our off-grid lifestyle.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving, #SustainableLiving, #NewMexicoDesert, #TinyHomeLife, #CompostingToilet, #DesertChallenges, #EcoFriendlyLiving, #OffGridSolutions, #LivingWithDogs, #ColdNights, #OffGridAdaptation, #DesertLife, #SelfSufficientLiving, #RuralLiving, #GreenLiving
Chasing Cattle Away From the RVs: A Morning on the Campground!
Thought I’d share a quick video of the cattle paying us a visit this morning and having to chase them away from the RVs. Watch how “difficult” it is to drive them off (said sarcastically)!
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#cattlelife #RVlife #KaHoonCampground #PlateauHameDeColquhoun #offgridliving
Cattle Chaos: Off-Grid Adventures with Solar Panels and Free-Range Herds
**Cattle, Cattle, Everywhere…**
Why do the cattle always feel the need to hang around the solar panels? Seriously, they have acres upon acres of land to graze on, but no… they have to gather right where they can cause the most trouble! Growing up on a dairy farm, I remember the cows roaming the yard freely, grazing peacefully among the flowers and plants. At least, that’s how I remember it—though my parents might have a different story! Maybe I was too young to notice the chaos they caused back then, but these guys? They’re determined to drive us to the loony bin.
Yet, despite the destruction, I can’t bring myself to put up a fence. The open views are just too beautiful. The cattle are welcome here—if only they’d stay away from the solar panels! It’s not even like there’s a buffet of grass around the solar setups. But still, they gather like it’s the hottest spot in town.
Even with all the havoc, watching these cattle brings me back to my childhood. Back then, it was Holsteins wandering the Minnesota fields, and now it’s these stubborn free-range fellows. Nostalgia sure has a funny way of making chaos feel a little less… chaotic.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#PlateauHameDeColquhoun, #KaHoonCampground, #KaHoonEventCenter, #SolarPanelProblems, #CattleTrouble, #OffGridLife, #CountryLiving, #RVLife, #TinyHouseLiving, #FreeRangeCattle, #RuralAdventures, #FarmLife, #NoFenceNoProblem, #NatureChallenges, #OpenRangeLiving
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 